Control valve equipment for oil and gas wells



Nov. 29, 1932. E. H. SCHNEIDER 1,839,384

CONTROL VALVE EQUIPMENT FOR OIL AND GAS WELLS Filed May 22. 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nqv. 29, 1932. E. H. SCHNEIDER CONTROL VALVE EQUIPMENT FOR OIL AND GAS WELLS Filed May 22', 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 29, 1932 UNITED STATES EUGENE HENRY SCHNEIDER, OF DENVER, COLORADO CONTROL VALVE EQUIPMENT FOR OIL AND GAS WELLS Application filed May 22,

My invention relates to devices for shutting off the flow of oil or gas from wells and more especially to a valve and control head for oil and gas Wells.

in drilling oil and gas wells a large diameter casing is used at the ground surface which is set in the hole drilled and when the full length of that size is in place, the upper end is flanged or welded to a metal ring supported at the ground surface.

The next smaller casing when all in place is also provided with a hammered out rounded flange contacting with the flange of the first casing, the two flanges sometimes being welded tog-ether.

This system is continued with each successively smaller string of easing, the idea of rounding over and fianging the upper end of each string being not onlyto secure all the strings firmly together, but also to present at all times a rounded entrance to the innermost casing so that tne rope or cable used in drillin g will not be cut, or worn, as it would be were this not done. I

This all works out very well while the drilling operation is going on; but when a gusher is struck or gas under high pressure is encountered the well must be shut 0a", and as yet no device which is perfectly satisfactory from all standpoints has been put upon the market.

Therefore, it is the object of this invention to provide a valve and control head for oil and gas wells which will permit the usual drilling operations and practice While still providing means to shut off the well with certainty and safety should the need arise.

A further object is to provide such a device inwhich the different casings may be rounded and flanged and welded to form a head ring in substantially the usual manner.

A further object is to provide such a device in which the valve may be in place during drilling operations without injury to the valve from the various mishaps due to the nature of the work which are to be expected.

A further object is to provide such a device, which when a well is to be abandoned and the casing left in the ground, may for the most part be salvaged, and used again.

1931. Serial No. 539,289.

A further object is to provide a valve hav ing sealing or packing means which will hold high pressures when seated against. a seat substantially square with the aperture there through.

I attain the above objects by a construction in which the valve seat is attached to the casing concentric therewith, a valve seat clean and free from injury and the valve cap is normally mounted on a guide and at one side of the seat whereby when it is moved to alignment with the seat it automatically pushes the valve seat shield out of the way and forms a leakproof joint with the valve seat.

All of this is described more in detail below, and is illustrated in the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the valve seat and guide construction but with the valve cap removed.

Figure 2 is an enlarged end view of the valve cap and screw block and equalizer blocks assembled.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the valve cap and the screw block and equalizer blocks.

Figure 4: is a side elevation of my valve and control head as it would appear when mounted complete with the valve closed and bolted down.

Figure 5 is a plan view and Figure 6 is an elevation of the flush plate.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the valve seat shield.

Figure 8 is a side elevation similar to Figure 4- but showing the valve seat shield in place and the valve cap withdrawn so that drilling operations may proceed.

Figure 9 is an elevation and partial sec tion on the line 9-9 of Figure 1. c

Figure 10 is a fragmentary enlarged section showing a portion of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary section similar to a portion of Figure 10, and showing a H modified form of packing ring construction.

The concrete pedestal 3 surrounds the outer casing or casing box 5 which generally extends down to the first rock encountered.

The pedestal 3 extends above the ground surface 2 and supports the cast steel pedestal 41 through a layer of grout 4 which is used to insure even distribution of the weight.

The pedestal ll is made in halves which are held together by the bolts 42, and is recessed to receive the internally threaded collar ring 40. The completed pedestals form a foundation to support the well casings as follows:

The adjustable screw collar 38 screws into the collar ring 40, and is provided witha series of holes for the reception of a proper spanner wrench.

The anchor block 8 is internally threaded for the reception of the upper threaded end of the casing 6, which is the largest size of casing to which the block 8 is attached. The anchor block 8 has a flange of eight faces to receive a wrench.

The casings 36 and 37 of smaller size have their upper ends hammered over to form rounded flanges bearing against the upper internally beveled or rounded surface of the block 8. if desired the casings 36 and 37 may also be welded to the block 8. Of cours more casings of still smaller sizes may be used, but those shown in Figures 9 and 10 are sufficient for a complete understanding of anyone versed in the art.

It will be seen that adjustment of the screw collar 38 may be used to put as little or as much of the weight of the casings as desir d upon the pedestals and 3. The step ring 39, attached to the collar 38 by the screws 43, keeps the collar 38 from being screwed up too high.

The valve seat 9 is internally threaded to screw upon the anchor block 8, and is provided with a flange to bear against the block 8 and also with a flange to bear against the valve frame 7 and hold it solidly down against the flange provided on the anchor block 8.

The valve seat 9 is also provided with a series of holes for the reception of a proper spanner wrench whereby it may be screwed down to form a tight fit against the upper surfaces of the anchor block 8., and of the valve frame 7.

The valve frame 7 is supported and positioned thus by the anchor block 8 and valve 9, and is also supported upon the derrick floor timbers 1, to which it is securely attached by the lag screws 85, proper support and equaliz'ag being provided by the use of the shims 32.

It will be noted that the valve seat 9 extends up above both the valve frame 7 and the anchor block 8.

The valve frame 7 has two guide-ways, whose upper and lower faces remote from the valve seat are substantially horizontal, but both upper and lower faces 7 adjacent the valve seat 9 taper downward. This will be explained further hereinafter.

The flush plate 33 is attached to the upper face of the valve frame 7 by screws 3 1 having countersink heads and at the end next the valve sea; 9 it is flush with the top face of the valve seat and is tapered away from the valve seat so that its upper face slopes up to the height of the top face of the valve seat. This will. be further explained hereinafter.

The valve screw 26 is journaled in the valve frame 7, and is provided with the gear 29, and is threaded all the way to the opposite end. An Acme type thread used on the screw 26, since this type thread provides enough outer surface to properly mount the screw 26 in the bearing 28.

The keyed washers 27, nuts 27 and cotier pins 28 cooperate with the bearing 28 to prevent end play of the screw 26, and to lock the adjustment as set.

The shaft 31 is journaled in the valve frame 7 and its ends are square for the reception of a crank or wrench. The gear 30 is secured lo the shaft 31 and meshes with the gear 29.

Rotation of the shaft 31 by any proper nea s will therefore rotate the screw 26, through the gears 30 and 29.

The valve cap 10 is provided with the tongues 19 for reception on the guide ways of the valve tram 7. The upper faces of the tongues 10 taper slightly to fit the taper of the guidcways 7 when the valvecap 10 is properly aligned with the valve seat 9.

The taper construction, which is well known in the valve art simply acts to pull the cap 10 downward a slight amount toward the seat 9 during the last of the closing move ment of the cap along the guide faces 7. The packing shield 24 is threaded into the cap 10 and acts to protect the packing r ng 21 which is held in place by the packing ring 22. See Figures 9 and 10. The screws 23 screw through the split expansible ring 22 and the packing 21. and into the cap 10 to expand and hold the ring 22 firmly in place and clamp the packing 21 tight against the inner circular surface of the cap 10.

The shield 24 is substantially flush with the packing ring 21, but tiere is enough leakage of oil or gas to put a valve seating pressure upon the packing ring 21.

Figure 11 shows a modified form of packing ring 25 which is threaded into the cap 10, but is not provided with a shield.

\Vith either form of packing ring, when the cap is moved into place concentric with the valve seat 9, the tapered guideways construction described above pulls the packing ring down tight upon the seat 9, and in the construction shown in Figures 9 and 10, the pressure itself, acting upon the ring 21 aids in making a leak-proof contact with the seat 9.

V hen the valve is thus in place, in case the pressure is exceptionally high, the bolts may be used to lock the cap 10 positively to the valve frame 7. The bolts 11 screw into the internally tireaded bushings 12 which are anchored in the valve frame 7, so that the guideways along are no longer depended upon to hold thepressure.

' The cap is internally threaded to receive the pipe nipple 13, which in turn threads into the high pressure gate valve 14.

The service pipe nipple is screwed into the valve '14'and upon it is screwed the pipe cap 16 to, prevent dirt or foreign matter from 7 getting into the valve prior tothe connection of the pipe lines.

The screw block 17 is provided with threads fitting the'screw 26 and is also provided with the trunnions 17, which are journale-d in the equalizer blocks 18.

The equalizer blocks 18 are received in reoesses in the valve frame 7 (see Figure 5), The bars 19 are held across the entrances to the block-receiving recesses of the frame 7 by the bolts 20 which are threaded into the bars The extreme end of the cap shank is provided. with a heavy portion which may be struck with a hammer to assist the perfect seating of the cap upon the seat 9.

Rotation of the screw 26', through the screw block 17 and the equalizer and slide blocks 18 acts to advance or retract the valve cap 10.

When the well is being drilled the valve seat guard 44 is put in place to protect the valve seat 9 and keeps it clean so that it will be in perfect condition whenever it is desired to close the valve.

The guard is prcvided with tongues which fit loosely in the guideways of the valve frame 7, and thus prevent any mishap from lifting theguard directly up and free from the seat 9.

. The guard 44 has a downwardly extending end 44 extending across the guideways and the lip 7 of the valve frame 7.

The guard 44 is also provided with two studs 45 which drop into two of the holes prepared in the flush plate 33 for the reception of the bolts 11. I

The guard 44 also is provided with a lifter hen the cap 10 starts to move toward the valve seat 9, it slides under the lifter 46 of the guard 44 and because of the loose'fit of the guard in the guideways, raises the guard enough to withdraw the studs 45 from the flush plate. Further movement of the cap 10 simply pushes the guard before it, during all of which movement the valve seat 9 is continually covered either by the guard 44 or tlie cap 10, so that no dirt may accumulate when the valve 14'1nay be "closed-andthe well thus effectively andpositively shut off. The valve frame is held securely to allthe casing in the well and the casing is still further anchored by the concrete and cast iron pedestals.

In case the well is to beabandoned and the casing cannot be pulled, all of the valve construction can be easily removed except the anchor block 8, the collar ring 40, and the screw collar 38; and if desired the inner casings may be torched off and the anchor block unscrewed and the collar 38 and collar ring 40 taken off. Or all the casings may be torched off and the anchor block 8 removed from the stub end of the casing 6 later.

It will now be seen that all of my objects have been attained, and though the construction has been described in detail I am well aware there are various changes and modifications which can be made by one versed in the art which would not actually depart from the essence of my invention. Therefore, I do not wish to confine myself narrowly. tothe exact details shown and described, but what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters'Patent, is as follows 1. The combination of a valve seat and a valve frame with guideways lower than the said seat and at a slight angle thereto, with means to attach them to a well casing, a valve cap carried by the valve frame and engaging said guideways, and means carried by the valve frame to move the valve cap to a tight seat in alignment with said seat due to the angle betweensaid seat and said guideways.

2. In a well control equipment having a valve mounted to slide along a frame and over a seat and cap the well. casing, anapertured valve seat shield to fit over .and protect said seat during drilling operations and hav- 1 mg locating means fitting into recesses ofsaid seatadjacent the valve, and having an inclined lifter extending over a portionof said valve, whereby movement of the valve toward the seat will lift the shield and withdraw the studs from the recesses and push the shield from said seat. V i

3. In a well control'equipment having a valve mounted to slide along a frame and over a seat and cap the well casing, an apertured valve seat shield to fit over and protect said seat, means to normally hold the shield on the seat, and means operated by the movement of the valve toward said seat to release said shield from said seat and permit it to be moved by the valve from said seat.

4. In a well control equipment having a valve mounted to slide along a frame and over a seat and cap the well casing, an apertured' valve seat shield normally fitting over and protecting said seat and removable by the seating movement of saidvalve.

5. In' a well control equipment having a valve mounted to slide alongaframe and over aseat and cap a well casing, a valve a of? seat shield normally fitting over and protecting said seat and removable by the seating movement of said valve, and means to bolt the valve upon its seat after it has been seated thereon.

6. In a well control equipment, a ring surrounding and attached to a well casing, a valve seat and frame attached to the rin a valve having guided movement along the frame to fit upon the seat and provided with a valve-seat-fitting, pressure-responsive seal, means carried by the frame to move the valve to its seat, and a valve seat shield normally fitting over and protecting said seat and removable by the seating movement of the said valve.

7. In a valve slidable along a frame to fit down upon a valve seat attached to a well casing, a valve provided with valve seat fitting, pressure responsive sealing means secured therein, and a separate shield ring within said sealing means and secured to said valve to protect said sealing means from harm due to high pressures and velocities whereby the shield ring may be put in place after the said sealing means is se cured in place.

8. In a valve equipment for Wells, a ring to be attached to a well casing, a frame and valve seat to be attached to said ring, a valve having guided movement upon said frame to fit said seat, equalizing means carried by the valve and permitting limited vertical movement while substantially preeluding horizontal movement thereof, and means carried by the frame and engaging said equalizing means to move the valve along the frame and against said seat.

9. In a valve packing for a valve slidable along a frame to fit down upon a valve seat substantially square with the aperture therethrough, a packing ring of packing material contacting the valve on its outer circular face, a split expansible keeper ring fitting inside the packing ring, and means to expand the keeper ring and thereby clamp the material of the packing ring tightly against the inner surface of the valve, the packing ring having an inwardly projecting flap adapted to be forced into contact with the said seat by fluid pressure.

10. In a valve adapted to fit against a valve seat substantially square with the axis to the aperture therethrough, a packing ring of packing material contacting the valve on its outer circular face, a split expansible keeper ring fitting inside the packing ring, means to expand the keeper ring to force the packing ring outward against the inner wall of the valve, the packing ring having an inwardly projecting flap adapted to be forced into contact with the said seat by fluid pressure, and a shield ring carried by the valve inside the packing and keeping rings and substantially flush with the packing face of the packing ring.

11. In a well control equipment for a well having a casing, a casing top assembly composed of a frame having guideways, annular means forming an upward facing valve seat above said frame, annular sup port means concentric therewith supported upon the said base, a valve cap slidable along said guideways to seat upon said valve seat, means carried by the frame and the cap to slide the cap along the frame, and annular adjusting means under the said annular support means and supporting same.

12. In a well control equipment for a well having a casing, support means, a frame attached to the support means and provided with a valve seat concentric with the casing and the support means and extending upward from the adjacent portions of the frame, the frame being provided with guideways below said seat and at a slight angle therewith, a valve cap carried by the frame and slidable along said guideways to a tight fit against said seat, and means carried by the frame and by the valve cap to slide the valve cap along the frame.

13. In a well control equipment for a well having a casing, support means, a frame carried by the support means and having an upwardly extending valve seat, a. valve cap slidable along the frame to a tight fit against the valve seat, means carr'ed by the frame to slide the valve cap along the frame, and a flush plate carried by the frame and tapering upward till flush with the valve seat, whereby the valve cap will be guided to slide over the valve seat.

14. In a Well control equipment for a well having a casing, support means, a frame carried by the support means and having an upwardly facing valve seat, a valve cap slidable along the frame to a tight fit against the valve seat, means carried by the frame to slide the valve cap along the frame, and a valve seat shield having an aperture of substantially the same bore as the valve seat and covering and protecting the valve seat during drilling operations, and slidable along the frame by the closing movement of the valve cap.

15. In a well control equipment for a well having a casing, a ring surrounding and supporting the casing, a frame attached to the ring and having an upwardly extending valve seat, a valve cap slidable along the frame to a tight fit on said seat, means carried by the frame to move the valve cap along the frame, a flush plate carried by the frame and tapering upward till flush with the valve seat, whereby the valve cap will be guided to slide over the valve seat, and an apertured valve seat shield normally fitting over and protecting said seat during drilling operations, and removable by the seating movement of the said valve.

16. In a Well control equipment for a well having a casing, a ring surrounding and supporting the casing in the well, a valve seat and guide frame attached to the ring, the seat being above the guide frame, a valve slidable along the frame to fit said seat, means carried by the frame to move the valve to or away from said seat, a second valve carried by said slidable valve, and an apertured valve seat shield normally fitting over and protecting the said valve seat and removable by the seating movement of said slidable valve.

17. In a well control equipment for a well having a casing, a ring surrounding and supporting the casing in the well, a valve seat and guide frame attached to the ring, and a valve slidable along the frame to fit on said valve seat, means carried by the guide frame to move the valve along the guide frame, an apertured valve seat shield normally fitting over and protecting the valve seat and removable by the seating movement of the slidable valve, and symmetrically distributed means to bolt the slidable valve to the said seat after it is seated thereon.

18. In a well controlequipment for a well, a support ring, a valve frame centered on the ring, a valve seat threadedly engaging the ring and having an upper face extending above the said valve frame clamping the valve frame to the ring, a valve having guided engagement with the valve frame below the level of said seat and movable along said valve frame, and means carried by the frame to move the valve to fit upon the said valve seat.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

EUGENE HENRY SCHNEIDER. 

